Impact of healthcare-associated infection on length of stay

BackgroundIncreased length of stay (LOS) for patients is an important measure the burden healthcare-associated infection (HAI).AimTo estimate excess LOS attributable to HAI.MethodsThis was a one-year prospective incidence study HAI observed in one teaching hospital and general NHS Scotland as part Evaluation Cost Nosocomial Infection (ECONI) study. All adult inpatients with overnight were included. diagnosed using European Centres Disease Prevention Control definitions. A multi-state model used account time-varying nature competing risks death discharge.FindingsThe 7.8 days (95% confidence interval (CI): 5.7–9.9). Median 30 non-HAI 3 days. Using simple comparison duration cases non-cases would overestimate by 3.5 times (27 compared days). The greatest impact on due pneumonia (16.3 days; 95% CI: 7.5–25.2), bloodstream infections (11.4 5.8–17.0) surgical site (SSI) (9.8 4.5–15.0). It estimated that 58,000 bed-days are occupied annually.ConclusionA reduction 10% could make 5800 available. These be treat 1706 elective annually help reduce number awaiting planned treatment. This has implications investment decisions prevention control interventions locally, nationally, internationally. Increased (HAI). To HAI. discharge. annually.